Key Officer in Philippine Revolt Drowns in Manila

Col. Tirso Gador, who played a key role in the revolt that toppled President Ferdinand E. Marcos, drowned Tuesday when he and his parachute were blown into Manila Bay.

A Defense Ministry spokesman said six soldiers who jumped with Gador from a Philippine air force helicopter south of Manila were also blown by the wind into the bay but were rescued. Two others were missing.

Rescuers picked up Gador from the sea, but he died before reaching a hospital, the spokesman said.

Gador led the first troops to declare support for Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and the military chief of staff, Fidel V. Ramos, during the February revolt that drove Marcos to exile and installed Corazon Aquino as president.